As tensions in the Middle East flared once again, the ripple effects were felt far beyond the region’s borders—reaching celebrities, athletes, and everyday families who call Dubai home. This week, both world number three golfer Tommy Fleetwood and actress Lindsay Lohan found themselves at the heart of these disruptions, as Iranian drone attacks and escalating conflict forced them and their loved ones to make urgent decisions about safety and travel.
Thousands of Britons and expatriates were caught in the crossfire after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. In response, Iran retaliated by targeting commercial infrastructure and neighboring countries that maintain friendly ties with America. According to BBC, airspace closures, flight restrictions, and last-minute cancellations left many stranded in Dubai and across the Gulf states. Drones landed alarmingly close to Dubai International Airport, and similar threats loomed over Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
For Tommy Fleetwood, the anxiety was personal and immediate. While preparing for the Players Championship in Florida, the British golfer was preoccupied with the safety of his family—his wife Clare, son, and two stepsons—who were still in Dubai as the crisis unfolded. "It is difficult not being able to travel. That has obviously been difficult. But when you know they're fine, that's kind of a relief," Fleetwood told BBC reporters on March 13, 2026. He added, "I think Clare is very relieved now. She feels good and everything. It's just not a great time for so many people in the country. It's just unsettling for everyone, really. It's easy for me to say it's been on my mind but at the same time I'm not the one who was there."
Fleetwood’s family managed to leave Dubai on March 11, 2026, flying safely to England. Their journey was fraught with uncertainty. "It wasn't easy," Fleetwood admitted. "They had one flight that was cancelled or suspended. And then they got lucky getting out because they got out on the flight and then I think something happened at the airport while they were in the air or something. So they got lucky timing wise." Despite the chaos, Fleetwood was quick to credit both the nation and its leadership for their response. "All I can say is that my family felt very safe and think the nation and the leaders have done an amazing job of making everybody feel safe and well and protected. I know my family have been safe and that's the important thing."
Meanwhile, actress Lindsay Lohan faced her own ordeal. The Bronx-born, Long Island-raised star, who has lived in Dubai since 2014, was among those “stuck” in the city as the crisis escalated. Lohan, her financier husband Bader Shammas, and their 2-year-old son had to weigh the risks of leaving amid reports of Iranian drones and missiles targeting the region. According to The Morning Sun and TMZ, Lohan’s departure was delayed by her hesitation to board one of the first flights out after the airport came under fire beginning March 1, 2026.
Despite these fears, Lohan and her husband managed to leave Dubai and arrived safely in New York City on March 11, 2026. Their arrival came just hours after two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport, wounding four people. Remarkably, commercial flights continued to depart, as confirmed by the Dubai Media Office. Lohan’s visit to New York was not just a personal escape—it was also professional. She is set to begin filming a new Hulu suspense series, “Count My Lies,” co-starring Shailene Woodley and based on a book by Sophie Stava. The project marks a new chapter for the actress, who told Vogue Arabia last month, "I’m so glad I followed my gut," reflecting on her decision to move to Dubai for a fresh start when she was no longer finding fulfilling work in the U.S.
Lohan’s connection to New York remains strong, despite her years abroad. In a 2014 interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, she described the city as comforting and “home.” Now, as she returns under such intense circumstances, that sense of homecoming is tinged with relief and gratitude for her family’s safety.
The broader context of these personal stories is a region on edge. Iran’s strikes were not limited to Dubai. Gulf states such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman also found themselves targeted, as Iran sought to send a message following U.S. and Israeli military actions. The attacks caused widespread disruption, with thousands unable to leave the region as flights were grounded or rerouted. According to BBC and The Guardian, the atmosphere in Dubai was tense but resilient, with local authorities working to maintain order and reassure both citizens and expatriates.
For Fleetwood, the timing of his family’s escape felt almost miraculous. The golfer, who is currently two shots off the lead after the first round at the Players Championship, admitted that his focus was divided. "It's easy for me to say it's been on my mind but at the same time I'm not the one who was there," he said. The relief was palpable—not just for his family’s safety, but also in knowing that, at least for now, they were out of harm’s way.
Lohan’s experience underscores the challenges faced by many expatriates in Dubai. Having moved there in 2014, married in 2021, and started a family, Dubai had become her sanctuary—a place to rebuild and reinvent. Yet, the sudden eruption of conflict brought home the fragility of that sense of security. Her decision to wait before flying out, as reported by TMZ, highlights the difficult choices faced by those living in crisis zones: weighing the risks of staying against the dangers of leaving too soon.
As both Fleetwood and Lohan resume their professional lives—Fleetwood on the greens of Florida, Lohan on the sets of New York—their stories are a reminder of how global events can upend even the most carefully laid plans. For thousands of others still stranded or seeking refuge, the uncertainty continues. The hope, echoed by Fleetwood’s praise for Dubai’s leaders and Lohan’s gratitude for her family’s safety, is that stability will soon return to a region so often caught in the crosshairs of international conflict.
For now, relief mingles with worry, and the world watches as both ordinary families and public figures navigate the fallout of a crisis that shows few signs of abating.